After the release of a recent study that found only half of American Jews under the age of 35 are comfortable with the idea of a Jewish state, the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute announced a new six-week course that focuses on the "millennia-old spiritual bond between Jews and Israel."

Israel: The Land and the Spirit will be offered in Nashville at the Gordon Jewish Community Center from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on six Wednesdays beginning Oct. 31.

The fee is $89 per person, or $150 per couple, which includes the textbook, as well as access to online forums and message boards to facilitate communication between students and faculty.

The course is free to those under 30.

For more information, visit www.nashvillejewish.com or contact Rabbi Y. Tiechtel at the Center for Jewish Awareness at 414-8910.